Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Q6. “Carbon Capture and Storage has turned into a fossil-fuel subsidy rather than a mitigation tool”. Discuss this assertion. Suggest measures to realign CCS with genuine decarbonisation goals. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question:
Amid debates on the misuse of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Asia as a tool for sustaining fossil fuel dependence rather than genuine emission reduction, as highlighted by the Climate Analytics 2025 report.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine how CCS has deviated from its original purpose of climate mitigation and become a fossil-fuel subsidy, and to suggest concrete policy and technological measures to realign it with authentic decarbonisation objectives.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain CCS and how its promise of emission reduction is increasingly questioned due to misuse by fossil industries.
Body:
- Discuss why CCS has become a fossil-fuel subsidy — highlight issues like enhanced oil recovery, low capture efficiency, and policy distortion.
- Suggest measures to realign CCS — targeted deployment, transparent regulation, subsidy redirection, and stronger carbon accounting.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the need for CCS as a niche, last-resort tool within a renewable-led transition framework.
